This weekend on a shoestring

• If you missed If You Wannas’ set at Bele Chere, you might wanna right that wrong. The band brings its “cannibalistic pop,” or catchy, quirky indie pop (whichever your prefer) to The Get Down (1045 Haywood Road, 505-8388) with The Leer. 10 p.m.

Friday, August 12

• Learn about the history of Fryingpan Tower and the life of a fire lookout on an easy-to-moderate wildflower walk led by a Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger. The two-mile hike begins at a gated pull-off approximately one mile south of the Pisgah Inn at MP 409. Bring water, wear sunscreen and hiking shoes and be prepared for inclement weather. 10 a.m. Free.

• Get a taste of the talent hiding in these mountains as the Sourwood Idol Contest opens the 34th Annual Sourwood Festival at the Black Mountain Chamber of Commerce (201 E. State St.). The amateur singing competition kicks off two days of music, dancing, arts and crafts, kids activities, games and more. Festivities run through Sunday, August 14. 7 p.m. Free.

• Downtown Marshall continues French Broad Fridays with a celebration of man’s furry best friend. Dog Daze will include pet adoptions, a pooch parade, a “Dog Is Love” poetry performance and music on the courthouse steps by Jen and the Juice. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m., with a parade at 7 p.m. and music at 9 p.m. Free.

• “Orange Peel August 12,” begins a post on The Critters’ Facebook. “Flashing lights. Loud music. Naked dancing. Fame. Fortune. Excess. Indulge! For one day – we shall die!” That last part might be a stretch, but the band certainly knows how to melt faces. See for yourself as The Orange Peel (101 Biltmore Ave., 225-5851) hosts an epic night of local rock that will also feature sets from Doc Aquatic and Big Hungry. 9 p.m. $5.

Saturday, August 13

• Celebrate WNC’s “most under used asset” at The French Broad Riverfest, featuring a raft race, local music, regional food and beer, games, art and more. Held at French Broad River Park (Amboy Road in West Asheville). 1-7 p.m. Free.

• Tributes to band’s like The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles are a dime a dozen these days, but it’s not often an AC/DC tribute rolls into town. That’s exactly what will happen Saturday as Wild Wing Cafe (161 Biltmore Ave., 253-3066) embraces the dark side with Back In Black, a hard-rocking five piece, complete with prep-school uniform, dangerously tight pants, the iconic Gibson SG and lots of attitude. 10 p.m. $5.

Sunday, August 14

• One guy and a ukulele is not what most people envision when they hear punk, but that’s what you get with local singer/songwriter Luke Puke. He performs at Fred’s Speakeasy (122 College St., 281-0920) with Alligator Indian. 10 p.m.